Electronic reconstruction and enhanced superconductivity at La$_{1.6-x}$Nd$_{0.4}$Sr$_{x}$CuO$_{4}$/La$_{1.55}$Sr$_{0.45}$CuO$_{4}$ bilayer interface

TL;DR

This study demonstrates significant enhancement of superconductivity at the interface of specific bilayer thin films, with a notable increase in transition temperature linked to interfacial electronic reconstruction and possible stripe relaxation effects.

Contribution

It reveals a new mechanism for interface-enhanced superconductivity involving electronic reconstruction and interfacial charge transfer in cuprate bilayers.

Findings

Maximum $T_c$ increase of over 200% at x=0.06

Interfacial layer 2-3 unit cells thick with higher $T_c$

Charge transfer and stripe relaxation influence interface superconductivity

Abstract

We report enhanced superconductivity in bilayer thin films consisting of superconducting La$_{1.6-x}$Nd$_{0.4}$Sr$_{x}$CuO$_{4}$ with 0.06 $\leq x<$ 0.20 and metallic but non-superconducting La$_{1.55}$Sr$_{0.45}$CuO$_{4}$. These bilayers show a maximum increase in superconducting transition temperature ($T_c$) of more than 200% for $x$ = 0.06 while no change in $T_c$ is observed for the bilayers with $x\geq$ 0.20. The analysis of the critical current and kinetic inductance data suggests 2-3 unit cells thick interfacial layer electronically perturbed to have a higher $T_c$. A simple charge transfer model with cation intermixing explains the observed $T_c$ in bilayers. Still the unusually large thickness of interfacial superconducting layers can not be explained in terms of this model. We believe the stripe relaxation as well as the proximity effect also influence the superconductivity of the interface.